JP McManus gifts Roscommon GAA €100,000
by Jonathan O'Meara
Roscommon GAA have confirmed that businessman and racing enthusiast JP McManus has gifted the County Board €100,000. The money is to be divided equally among the clubs within the county.
Roscommon PRO Hugh Lynn told the Westmeath Independent that JP McManus, who has a family connection with Arigna in north Roscommon, requested that the money would be equally divided up between the 33 clubs in the county.
"We were delighted when we got the word. JP McManus is no stranger to Roscommon and is a regular visitor to Roscommon racecourse. It was a very generous gift. He is a big supporter of Limerick GAA and the gift was a gesture by the him to celebrate Limerick's success in this year All-Ireland hurling final against Galway."
McManus donated €100,000 to every county board in Ireland, with the figure to divided equally among the clubs in each county.
The unprecedented gesture will see McManus give a total of €3.2million to the GAA, with all 32 counties benefitting from the windfall.
Meanwhile, the Roscommon PRO also stated that work is progressing in their effort to find a new senior football manager. Earlier in the month, former Roscommon senior stars Niall Carty and Ciarán Heneghan were included on a subcommittee charged with finding the county’s next football manager. The Rossies have been on the lookout for a new inter county manager following Kevin McStay’s resignation at the start of September.
The Roscommon executive established a five-man including with county board Seamus Sweeney, secretary Brian Carroll and treasurer David O’Connor. "We're hoping to have a manager in place by the time the county final comes around. We are not in the position to mention any names at this stage, but the subcommittee is working hard to fill the vacancy as soon as possible," Lynn said.
Lynn also reminded supporters that Roscommon GAA and Club Rossie are offering one lucky person the life changing opportunity to win a house in Dublin worth €425,000. This three-bedroom, end of terrace home at Royal Canal Park, Ashtown, Dublin 15 is developed by one of Ireland’s leading Home Builders, Ballymore Properties.
The funds raised will be used to develop the facilities of Dr Hyde Park and to help implement the strategic plan of Roscommon GAA which includes the future development of the Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence. This fundraiser will run between now and Christmas, with the winner being announced on December 30. For further detail log on to www.winahouseindublin.com.